Ann McFeatters: Trump is just one of those men who seems to have it in for women

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WASHINGTON -- Of course, the president was going to permit a strip club to host a tournament at one of his golf clubs, Trump Doral. Only after bad publicity did the club itself pull out.

Trump is just one of those men who seems to have it in for women.

This is the same man who famously called Jeffrey Epstein -- the billionaire accused of child sex trafficking -- a "terrific" guy, fun to be with, who likes beautiful women and likes them on the younger side. Say about 14.

The former prosecutor, Alexander Acosta, who once let Epstein off with no federal prison time and a "jail" sentence that let him go to work despite allegations he molested at least 30 girls, was selected as Trump's secretary of labor. Trump's immediate instincts were to defend Acosta, whose job includes going after human traffickers. Trump expressed sorrow that his good secretary was criticized for giving a serial predator a slap on the wrist and keeping it secret. Hey, we all make bad decisions when billions are in play.

This is the same man, the president, who paid a porn star and a Playboy bunny a lot of money not to talk about sex they said they had with him while he was married to Melania, our current first lady.

This is the same man who has been accused by two dozen women, who we know about, of sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape.

Trump is the same man who in 2016 made crude references about Megyn Kelly, Carly Fiorina and his private parts. As a student, he threw erasers at teachers he didn't like and was dubbed the class "ladies' man." He once called in to a radio show to taunt the host's guest that he had slept with the man's girlfriend. As owner of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, Trump walked freely into the women's dressing rooms, humiliating those he didn't find attractive enough. He has called many famous female celebrities – Angelina Jolie, Cher, Bette Midler, Rosie O'Donnell --by derogatory sexist names. He once told New York magazine, "Women, you have to treat them like s...." He once said he doesn't trust working mothers because they don't give him 100% of their loyalty.

This is the man who mocked the physical appearance of Christine Blasey Ford, who had accused Trump Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh of sexually attacking her when they were teenagers.

And this is Trump's own words about grabbing women without their consent: "I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything."

This is the same man who is trying to deny all women of child-bearing age the choice of whether or not to carry a pregnancy to term.

This is the same man whose border patrol office has done nothing while some officers stand accused of abusing and molesting young immigrants.

Trump's administration has: cut funds for military caregivers (mostly women), scrapped the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order, cut nutrition assistance for women and children, and attacked and cut funds for Planned Parenthood, which not only gives women access to health care but tries to help them prevent unwanted pregnancies. Nothing has been done to help women get access to better, cheaper child care.

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This administration has limited women's rights and reproductive rights, cut family planning efforts here and abroad, significantly weakening domestic birth control coverage, restricted abortion access, eliminated funding for evidence-based sex education and pregnancy prevention programs, and made it harder for college victims of assault to be heard.

The entire history of this man is one of sexism, misogyny and deep-seated dislike of women.

But, this man protests, he "loves" and "cherishes" women.

And that is good enough for the entire GOP leadership of Congress and slightly more than four out of 10 Americans who are telling pollsters they will vote again for Donald Trump to continue to be president for four more years.

Meanwhile, back to strippers being auctioned off as "caddy girls" at Trump's golf club, supposedly to benefit charity, vaguely supposed to help 40 children.

But, oops, The Washington Post found that the named worthwhile cause is not registered by the state of Florida and thus is not legally recognized. Within hours, the strip club "charity" benefit was cancelled.

Of course, we are not surprised. Sometimes, sunlight is an excellent disinfectant.

About The Writer

Ann McFeatters is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Readers may send her email at amcfeatters@nationalpress.com.

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